NCAR is hard to miss, especially when driving north toward Boulder on Highway 93. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Carry plenty of water, healthy snacks, and a lightweight jacket. The scenic drive on Canyon Boulevard is a bonus. If you want to live the dream, your best chance is to start with optimal conditions. (2) Keep it doable. Once youre hiking the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, youll get views of the massive canyon walls around you and Colorados eastern plains behind you. 93. Part of the Colorado Front Range Trail, this section beginning at Palmer Lake, passes through the Air Force Academy (be sure to stay on trail, please do not trespass), then connects to Cottonwood and/or Pikes Peak Greenway Trails. Hydration is essential when visiting Colorado or any city at altitude. This popular multi-use trail that runs north to south across the whole city of Colorado Springs. The My Open Country name is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. While youre on Bear Peak, you can also hike a short distance farther to summit South Boulder Peak. #1 - Davidson Mesa Loop Trail Davidson Mesa Length: 3.3 mi Est. About 6 miles round trip. What's Happening This Weekend in Boulder? On this trail, you have constant views of the Flatirons without the elevation gain of actually hiking the Flatirons. If a bear is nearby, talk loudly so that the bear knows that you are there. Fountain Creek Regional Trail is approximately 2.5 miles long from Fountain Creek Regional Parks northern boundary at Willow Springs Ponds to its southern boundary at Hanson Nature Park. Trying to think of some up here have you been to Mud Lake? Also, be sure to bring some trekking poles, because the way down is no joke! We recommend hiking up to the Continental Divide from the lake. Alli Fronzaglia is a hiking guide, naturalist, and community volunteer. It says stroller friendly and I would say it is about 80% stroller friendly. This trail is accessible all year, but in the winter we recommend bringing some microspikes. It can be accessed from the visitor center where bathrooms and water is available. Its pretty small and easy to miss. (updated 10/2018), Restaurants with a past.. dining options with a history. If you are seeking more adventure, continue on up where kids will be thrilled to try out some light scrambling to reach the top. This park is a beautiful, historic and has several recreational amenities gardens, ponds, playgrounds, sports courts & fields, swimming pool, historic geological structures this park has it all! When trekking through Boulders open space and parks, be aware of your surroundings and be prepared for wildlife encounters. We are committed to telling the personal stories highlighting the people, creativity and natural landscape of this special place. It takes approximately 15 minutes to travel from downtown Boulder to Boulder Falls. This trail sits in east Boulder, between the Boulder Community Center and the Baseline Reservoir. This hiking trail to the summit follows the Green Mountain West Trail to the top of the mountain. From Mallory Cave to Fern Canyon to Bear Peak, NCAR is a launching point of a great menu of epic Boulder hikes. Did your last family hike contain more moans and groans than oohs and ahhs? One great option is a water bladder that fits inside of a backpack or baby carrier. Visitors to the city can take advantage of 45,000 acres of city-owned open space land and over 150 miles of trails. While it may be tempting to stray off trails to look at something unique, please stay on designated paths and off designated habitat conservation areas. Seasonal closures may occur due to muddy conditions. Its about protecting what sustains us. Be sure to bring a daypack with extra trail snacks and water bottles. Another one of the best family-friendly hikes near Boulder is the Bobolink Trail. South Boulder Creek Trail at Bobolink Trailis a 1.5-mile trail (between Baseline and South Boulder Roads) that runs along South Boulder Creek. According to AllTrails.com, the longest stroller-friendly trail in Colorado is High Line Canal Trail. You can also hike to the summit of this mountain via the Green Mountain loop trail and Chautauqua trail. This is an impressive hike in Eldorado State Park to the south of Boulder. The trail itself follows one side of the canyon, steadily climbing and then descending. The path is a mix of paved and softer gravel or dirt surfaces. After a long descent, the trail enters the boulder field again, where there are more interesting rocks. This, makes for an approximate five mile long, there and back again hike. Seems like summer has arrived! Sanitas Valley trail https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/mount-sanitas-trailhead, Enchanted Mesa and McClintock Nature Trails Loop @ Chautauqua. They not allowed south of the gate on South Boulder Road. Why Your Kids Will Love It: This tiny trail offers big views of both mountains and plains, and its lined with interpretive signs about local weather and climate. Bear Creek Regional Park Several options, most of the trails are wide enough for a stroller. Be on the lookout for the occasional bike, or grab your own, but stick to the designated areas. Watch for moose at the start of the trail, and also note that due to the popularity of trails leaving from the trailhead, parking can fill up fast. Adams Open Space & Metcalfe Park 2.5 miles out and back. The ponds are an ecologically restored site that was a gravel pit mine until the 1960s and is now a wildlife sanctuary. You could also walk along the roads. Did we miss your favorite? (detour to the pond is not paved). After living as an international teacher in Bangalore, India, Sandy published an award-winning book, May This Be the Best Year of Your Life, as a resource for people contemplating an expat lifestyle and living outside their comfort zone. Both cement and dirt trail options and good for biking or walking. . At the end of this trail, you can connect with the Walker Ranch Loop trail if you want a longer hike, too. According to AllTrails.com, the longest stroller-friendly trail in Colorado is. Sightings of mule deer, squirrels, and chipmunks are common, while coyotes, red fox, mountain lions, and black bears are less likely. Note: Do not confuse this hike with the Red Rocks amphitheater south of Boudler. If it is dark, drink even more water. Why Your Kids Will Love It: Bald Mountain looks more like a lump than a mountain, but it stands at an impressive 7,160 feet. Boulder Valley Ranch (can be combined with Coot Lake but you will have to walk down a rural road at one point to connect the trails). Hike it Baby makes every effort to keep trail content up to date, but trail conditions are subject to change. The main trailhead is located 5 minutes west of Boulder, CO and includes free parking. But instead of hiking back over all those peaks a second time, you can take the Boulder Mesa Trail. This trail sits at the beginning of Boulder Canyon. It is also possible to reach Gregory Canyon via the Bluebell-Baird Trail. PARENT CATEGORY FOR SEGMENT / GUIDES, REVIEWS, NEW RELEASES, DESIGNER INTERVIEWS, OUTFIT GUIDES, SEASONAL GUIDES. Located a short drive south of Rocky Mountain National Park, this city sits on the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and has endless options for hiking adventures. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This true gem of Boulder hiking is right outside of town, but because of its location it can get pretty crowded. It doesnt have to be this way. Templeton Gap Trail 4.5 miles one way, connects to the west end of Palmer Park. Don't forget to bring a pair of binoculars. ), Use the nature tools and scavenger hunts to stave off boredom and distraction, Use phone apps or books to identify plants and animals, Let them take photos of things they want to remember, Take frequent breaks that include rest, food, and water, Set aside time during the hike or right after to record what they saw (older kids can do the writing themselves, and younger kids can add sketches to your writing). In the above guide, we hope weve helped you single out the most unmissable of the bunch so you can make the most of your time in the Peoples Republic! The Button Rock Dam via Sleepy Lion Trail has great views of open space in Button Rock Preserve. We love that many of these stroller friendly trail options for families with young children have large parks nearby. From the trailhead, you get a mile or so of smooth trail before it gets very steep to Royal Arch. Follow the beautiful South Boulder Creek past grazing cattle and spot wildlife of all kinds on this marvelous trail. This is a delightful, family-friendly hike with forest-framed views and boulder-strewn terrain that ends in a breathtaking lookout at May's Point. Bear Peak is Boulder's second tallest mountain at 8,461 feet, but its combination of beauty and brutality has made it an ever-popular challenge among locals. Soon enough. The area is very popular for weekend picnics so parking may be an issue on nice weekend days. Easy, paved, stroller and family friendly. A little bit of climbing results in rewarding views at Red Rocks from the Settlers Landing trailhead. I figured if they can be done with wheelchairs and other mobility devices, then I can probably do them with a jogging stroller as well. So, you can bring the whole family on this hike in north Boulder. About 6 miles round trip. This easy, family-friendly stroll goes around the lake in Sloan's Lake Park. The less than 3-mile loop around the lake enchants hikers withspectacular high alpine scenery and abundant wildlife. Bring or rent a tube yourself, or just enjoy watching the locals splash around in the water. School age children may appreciate the signage on the short Walter Orr Roberts Trail and some of the rock filled trails heading toward the foothills. The middle of the trail ends at May Point which is an excellent place for a picnic. Check The Weather. Even though mosquitoes can be an issue, many families picnic along the partially shaded trail. Driving South on Highway 93, visitors will spot the parking lot and trailhead for Flatiron Vista. Hike it Baby is a national nonprofit with the tax ID 81-0969124 / Mailing address: 9450 SW Gemini Dr #36457 Beaverton, Oregon 97008 / 2019, Trail Information and Pictures provided by NH Family Hikes, {{current_weather.dt | moment( atts.date )}}, This error message is only visible to WordPress admins. Make sure this account has posts available on instagram.com. Make the dream a reality with this nearly foolproof formula for successful family hikes. The wheels swivel and lock in the front. When hes not staring at a screen trying to figure out why a semicolon is causing an entire system to malfunction, he enjoys spending time with his family outdoors immersed in culture and nature. One trail has an elevation climb of 300 feet and the other is flat and follows the western shoreline of Pinewood . I do go to Mud Lake with the kids, but haven't been to Brainard since my first time a few years ago when my then baby started screaming shortly after getting on path/trail. Your email address will not be published. After 0.6 miles of climbing (since the loop junction), the trail comes out to a small ledge from which you can look up at your destination. A relatively flat and short trail that passes through a beautiful ponderosa forest. Golden hour photos are mind boggling. To avoid the hassle of looking for a parking spot on summer weekends, the city runs a free shuttle from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Which stroller friendly trail has the most elevation gain in Colorado? Mesa Valley Trail 3 miles out and back. This trail is ideal for ages 5 and up. Plus there are boulders for climbing and benches for snacking. A bonus for this hike is the location of the trailhead, tucked away on the backside of Chautauqua, where you can often get lucky finding a parking spot instead of parking along Baseline Rd with crowds of others. The best time to hike with kids near Boulder is early in the morning. 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stroller friendly hikes boulder co
